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Dance Examinations (RAD-ISTD)

FVAD students may participate in world-renowned Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) graded and vocational examinations, as well as Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) Modern Theatre Dance and Tap Dance examinations.

Royal Academy of Dance – RAD Syllabus

The Royal Academy of Dance ( RAD – pronounced by letter “R. A. D.” not “Rad” ) is one of the world’s most influential dance education organizations.  Founded in 1920, its intention was to set standards for teachers within the UK, ensuring a consistent approach in training particularly for teachers who had not been professional dancers.

Today, the RAD has a presence in 83 countries, with 36 offices, over 14,000 members worldwide, and more than a quarter of a million students are being examined on RAD syllabi. Recognized for their quality, the RAD is one of the most widely used classical ballet syllabi in professional academies and college dance programs throughout Canada and the United States.

Alongside the traditionally-recognized international ballet training methods, including Italian Cecchetti, French Paris Opera, Russian Vaganova, American Balanchine, and Danish Bournonville, the British RAD has been setting the standard for classical ballet training for over 100 years.

The RAD curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive and progressive approach to ballet training, starting from the earliest years of a dancer’s development and continuing through to professional levels.

The curriculum began its development in the early 20th century in London, England, when an initial syllabus was created to assist teachers throughout the region in following a standard training curriculum.  The result was a more consistent skills base for students wishing to progress to professional training.  The curriculum was particularly important for teachers without the extensive experience of being professional company dancers, and those who had not had training beyond their local dance school.

RAD-Certified Teachers

Students may only enter RAD exams through officially registered and certified RAD teachers and schools.  Students may only be adjudicated in RAD exams by officially registered and certified RAD examiners.

To achieve RAD teacher certification, students must first enter their RAD Intermediate exam and then apply for teacher-training.  There are several options for RAD teacher certification including the traditional and robust multi-year in-person teacher training programs such as at Canada’s National Ballet School, the more recent short-term self-directed distant-learning option, and the intensive teacher-training program for professional dancers that is offered at RAD HQ in London, UK.

Key Benefits of RAD Exams

International Recognition: The R.A.D. is one of the world’s most influential dance education organizations. Its certificates are respected by professional academies, college dance programs, and companies worldwide.  Students wishing to become dance teachers will be well-positioned to enter formal teacher-training programs and achieve their RAD Teacher certification.

Safe and Gradual Progress: The syllabus offers a carefully structured progression from pre-primary grades up to advanced vocational levels, focusing heavily on injury prevention, correct alignment, and strength.

BC High School Credits: Completing RAD ballet exams of Grades 6-8 or Vocational levels (Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1, Advanced 2) allows students to earn official external graduation credits.

View the current list of external BC educational credits.

Goal Setting and Discipline: Preparing for an examiner evaluates a dancer’s focus, artistry, and technical execution, giving students clear milestones outside of other performance opportunities.

FVAD RAD Exam Eligibility

FVAD students may prepare for graded or vocational examinations with certain requirements:

  • Students must have Full Membership with FVAD.
  • Students must be enrolled in all Ballet as well as Pre-Pointe or Pointe classes at their level.
  • Students must enrol in all Exam Preparation sessions to be approved for exam entry.
  • Entry into any exam is at the discretion of FVAD’s RAD teachers. 
  • Students will only be entered into an exam upon approval by an RAD teacher.

FVAD enters students into the RAD exams offered in February-March each year.

RAD Exam preparation sessions

FVAD students wishing to enter RAD Exams are required to attend the Exam Preparation sessions in the fall and winter terms.

  • The fall term sessions run mid-September to mid-November.
  • The winter term session runs from January until the exam date.
  • Sessions will be held on Sundays, with Saturdays possible in the winter term.
  • Mock exams will be held two weeks before the exam date.

Students who miss a scheduled exam preparation session may be required to add a private lesson as a substitute.  Students who miss multiple exam preparation sessions may need to wait until the following year to enter their exam.

RAD Exam Costs

Various costs are involved in the RAD Exam process and preparations, including:

  • FVAD Preparation sessions are $30 per hour
  • FVAD Private lessons (if required) are $100 per hour
  • RAD Exam entry fees range from $105-$350
  • Any props required for exams are provided by FVAD
  • Character skirts are provided by FVAD
  • Leotards are students’ ballet class leotard, or provided by FVAD if others are needed.
  • Character shoes are available to purchase new or used from FVAD

Prices are accurate at the time of writing.  View our Rates & Fees for the latest pricing.

ISTD Examinations

(descriptions for ISTD Tap and ISTD Modern Theatre Dance exams coming soon)

Learn more about the FVAD Syllabus